A RENEGOTIATED rental package will give Bude and North Cornwall Cricket Club the best chance of thriving in their new home, according to the town council — and the club's new-look base could also bring economic benefits to the area.

The cost of the building contract was approximately £312,000, but included in it were items paid for by the club, such as the kitchen, changing room fittings and scoreboard. The town council also managed to make other savings on the contract, and sourced a £50,000 grant from Sport England, lowering the authority's cost to around £238,000.

Mayor of Bude-Stratton Town Council Frank Partridge chaired the inaugural meeting between members of the cricket club committee and the council's recreation and amenities committee in September 2003.

Now, more than a decade later, he is delighted to see the new pavilion has been erected, incorporating many aspects of the cricket club's original plans.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.